여행 안내 South Korea Travel Guide
Explore the Land of the Morning Calm — from futuristic Seoul to scenic Jeju Island. Learn essential travel Korean and navigate like a local.
Plan Your Perfect Korea Trip
Whether you have a day or a month, a city in mind or a theme to follow — browse our detailed guides and build your itinerary.
Where Will You Explore?
From ancient palaces to volcanic islands — South Korea packs a lifetime of discovery into one compact, highly connected country.
South Korea's vibrant capital — palaces, street food, K-Pop, and cutting-edge tech all in one extraordinary city.
Korea's second city — coastal beauty, seafood markets, and colourful hillside villages between mountains and sea.
Korea's volcanic island paradise — UNESCO World Heritage landscapes, pristine beaches, and haenyeo diving culture.
Korea's ancient capital — an open-air museum bursting with royal tombs, temples, and Silla dynasty treasures.
Korea's gateway city — futuristic Songdo smart city, vibrant Chinatown, and the world-renowned Incheon International Airport.
Home of the magnificent UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress — and famous for its legendary galbi BBQ ribs.
Travel Korean Phrasebook
30 must-know phrases organised by situation — from touching down at Incheon to ordering 삼겹살 at a local restaurant.
| Korean · 한국어 | Translation · 번역 |
|---|---|
| 여권 주세요Yeogwon juseyo | 입국 심사 시 사용Passport please |
| 관광비자 신청합니다Gwangwangbija sincheonghabnida | 비자 신청할 때Applying for tourist visa |
| 한국어를 배우고 있어요Hangugeo reul baeugo isseoyo | 자기소개할 때I am learning Korean |
| Korean · 한국어 | Translation · 번역 |
|---|---|
| 이 주소로 가주세요I jusoro gajuseyo | 택시 탈 때Please take me to this address |
| 지하철역이 어디예요?Jihacheoryeogi eodiyeyo? | 지하철 이용 시Where is the subway station? |
| 버스 정류장이 어디예요?Beoseu jeongnyujangi eodiyeyo? | 버스 이용 시Where is the bus stop? |
| 얼마예요?Eolmayeyo? | 요금이나 가격 물을 때How much is it? |
| 택시 불러주세요Taeksi bulleojuseyo | 택시 호출 요청Please call a taxi |
| 여기서 내려주세요Yeogiseo naeryeojuseyo | 하차 위치 알릴 때Please drop me here |
| Korean · 한국어 | Translation · 번역 |
|---|---|
| 맛있어요!Massisseoyo! | 음식 칭찬할 때It's delicious! |
| 메뉴 주세요Menyu juseyo | 메뉴판 요청Menu please |
| 채식주의자예요Chaesigjuuijayeyo | 식이 제한 알릴 때I'm vegetarian |
| 맵지 않게 해주세요Maepji ange haejuseyo | 맵기 조절 요청Please make it not spicy |
| 계산서 주세요Gyesanseo juseyo | 식사 후 계산 요청Bill please |
| 이거 포장해 주세요Igeo pojanghaejuseyo | 남은 음식 포장 요청Please wrap this to go |
| Korean · 한국어 | Translation · 번역 |
|---|---|
| 이거 얼마예요?Igeo eolmayeyo? | 가격 물어볼 때How much is this? |
| 좀 싸게 해주세요Jom ssage haejuseyo | 할인 요청할 때Please give me a discount |
| 영수증 주세요Yeongsujeung juseyo | 영수증 요청Receipt please |
| 신용카드 되나요?Sinyongkadeu doenayo? | 결제 방법 확인Do you accept credit cards? |
| Korean · 한국어 | Translation · 번역 |
|---|---|
| 도와주세요!Dowajuseyo! | 긴급 도움 요청Help me! |
| 경찰을 불러주세요Gyeongchal bulleojuseyo | 경찰 신고 요청Please call the police |
| 병원이 어디예요?Byeongwoni eodiyeyo? | 병원 위치 찾기Where is the hospital? |
| 약이 필요해요Yagi piryohaeyo | 약 구매가 필요할 때I need medicine |
| Korean · 한국어 | Translation · 번역 |
|---|---|
| 체크인 하고 싶어요Chekeu-in hago sipeoyo | 호텔 체크인 시I'd like to check in |
| 방이 있나요?Bangi innayo? | 객실 예약 가능 여부Do you have rooms available? |
| 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?Waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo? | 와이파이 연결 시What's the WiFi password? |
Getting Around Korea
South Korea has one of the world's best public transport systems. Here's everything you need to navigate it with confidence.
Seoul's subway has 9 lines covering the entire metropolitan area — clean, safe, and punctual to the minute. Also in Busan, Daegu, and Incheon.
Korea Train Express links Seoul to Busan in just 2 hours 15 minutes at speeds up to 305 km/h. Tickets via the Korail app.
Express buses (고속버스) connect every major city affordably. City buses fill gaps where the subway doesn't reach — use T-Money to pay.
Korean taxis are metered, affordable, and plentiful. Black taxis (모범택시) are premium. Kakao Taxi makes hailing a cab effortless.
Regional Korean Specialties
Korean cuisine varies dramatically by region. Every city has its signature dish — knowing the local food vocabulary makes every meal an adventure.
Korean Cultural Tips
Knowing Korean etiquette shows respect and earns genuine warmth from locals. Eight things every visitor should know.
Always bow when greeting someone. A 15° nod is casual; a 45° bow shows deep respect. Koreans appreciate even small efforts.
Koreans often ask your age shortly after meeting — it's not rude. Age determines the speech level (존댓말 vs 반말) used.
Always remove shoes when entering a Korean home, many guesthouses, and some traditional restaurants. Look for a shoe rack.
Give and receive items — money, gifts, business cards — with both hands or the right hand supported by the left.
Wait for the eldest person at the table to pick up their spoon before eating — a core part of Korean Confucian table etiquette.
Never pour your own drink — always fill others' glasses first. Hold your glass with two hands when someone pours for you.
Keep your voice down on the subway — it's rude to speak loudly or take phone calls in quiet carriages.
Tipping is NOT common or expected in South Korea — in some cases it can even cause awkwardness. Service is included.
Essential Apps for Korea Travel
Download these before you land — they will transform your trip.
Korea's most accurate maps app — real-time transit, walking routes, English support
Naver's AI translator — far better than Google Translate for Korean. Camera translation for menus.
Korea's go-to ride-hailing app — safe, metered, English-friendly, card payment
Korea's leading food delivery — perfect for ordering to your hotel at any hour
Detailed indoor maps, restaurant reviews, and public transport schedules